The Northman

The Northman logo

The Northman is a 2022 American epic historical action thriller film directed by Robert Eggers, who co-wrote the screenplay with Sjón. Based on the legend of Amleth, the film stars Alexander Skarsgård (who also produced), Nicole Kidman Claes Bang, Ethan Hawke, Björk and William Dafoe. The plot centers on Amleth, a Viking prince who sets out on a quest to avenge the murder of his father. The film is heavily influenced by Norse mythology. Filming took place in locations throughout Northern Ireland, the Republic of Ireland and Iceland from August to December 2020.

Dialogue

[Hear me Odin, oh, Father of the Gods, summon the shadows of ages past... when the thread spinning Norns ruled the fates of men, hear of a prince's Vengeance quenched at a fiery gates of Hel, a prince destined for Valhöll... hear me!]

[The opening scene begins in the midst of a blizzard within North Atlantic Ocean taking place in the 10th Century]

Amleth: He's here... He's here!

Amleth: Mother! Father is here!

Queen Gudrún: Never enter my Chambers without invitation!

Royal Servant: The King is here, my lady!

Queen Gudrún: [referring to Amleth] Come.

Amleth: Odin's brought him home!

[The King enters the Village outpost on a horse along with the rest of the Viking tribe]

King Aurvandill: Onward brother!

Peasants: Hail King Aurvandill! Hail!

King Aurvandill: Like a battle dog returning to its master, I have come to be feted by my Queen.

Queen Gudrún: Ever are we bound, my Lord.

King Aurvandill: Prince Amleth, you have grown too old to be greeted as a child.

Prince Amleth: [Bows] Hail, Lord King.

King Aurvandill: But, a father never grows too old for a good smothering! [Picks up Prince Amleth and hugs him for a short moment]Oh, how I've missed you, my son!

Queen Gudrún: Will your brother not grace us with his presence?

King Aurvandill: Think not of Fjölnir, he will soon be with us.

[Music plays in the background as the Servants hand over chalices and gifts to Aurvandill and Gudrún]

King Aurvandill: [King Aurvandill hands over a necklace to young Prine Amleth] This was destined for this Prince. Wear it always with my love.

Amleth: Thank you father... my King.

Queen Gudrún: Fjölnir!

Fjölnir: [Whilst touching Aurvandill's ring] Hail, lord King!

King Aurvandill: Furnish this fierce-hearted slayer of men with some drink that I might drink to him!

Queen Gudrún: Accept my cup, kinsman.

Heimir the Jester: LOOK! How the Queen's cup grows wet for more men than her King! What metal might buy a fragrant sip, sweet silver? or hard Iron!

Fjölnir: Silence, you Dog! By Freyr, you slander your Lord and Mistress?!

King Aurvandill: Please, brother! 'Tis but a jest! A Jest! Heimir keeps a foul tongue yet I keep him as a deep sworn friend.

King Aurvandill: [The King hands Fjölnir's son to him] Come, brother. Here is one more need of your safe keeping than myself.

Fjölnir: My son, Thorir. [Proceeds to toast] To my Brother, the War Raven!

Amleth: To the Kingdom of Hrafnsey!

[Everyone raises a cup of Alcohol in cheer] Skål!

King Aurvandill: Approach, Amleth, and behold in our blood the tree of kings!

[King Aurvandill and his son are alone on a snowy mountain summit, as all things seem in harmony for the brief moment a group of villagers shoot arrows at the King, committing treason, as he and his son attempt to make a desperate escape]

Amleth: Father!

Villagers: Come for your carcass! you mongrels!

[Amleth runs and takes shelter behind a boulder while watching the event unfold]

Fjölnir: You behold your brothers gaze in amazement, I knew well you would; pity you never paid a bastard's eyes heed before.

Fjölnir: [Fjölnir takes out a sword] Now... behold how swiftly your brother swings his sword!

King Aurvandill: Strike, brother... strike!

King Aurvandill: But know that bearing a stolen ring makes no half-breed a King! Soaked in my blood, it will soon be sliding off your arm like a serpent! ...Your kingdom will not last.

King Aurvandill: Let this misdeed haunt your living nights 'til a flaming vengeance gorges on your death.

King Aurvandill: Strike... Strike!

Fjölnir: To Valhöl!

Fjölnir: King Aurvandill is dead!

Villagers: Long live King Fjölnir! Long live King Fjölnir!

Fjölnir: [Referring to Amleth] Bring me the boys head!

[Amleth runs away as the Villagers are ordered by King Fjölnir to behead him]

Villagers: Do you see him?

Peasants: Over here!

Villagers: Cut him off!

[Amleth runs into a sloop and sails off into the sea towards Iceland, grunting and crying]

Amleth: I will avenge you, Father! I will save you, Mother! I will kill you, Fjölnir!